Left side dominates both segments: the Pudong skyline during departure and the Indian Ocean plus Colombo coastline during arrival. The westbound routing means left seats face the direction of travel for much of the flight.
Flown SHA to CMB? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Shanghai to Colombo is 3,144 miles (5,060 km), a flight of about 5 hours.
The flight path crosses the Bay of Bengal. Notable features include the Andaman Sea (visible as open ocean for roughly 3 hours of the flight), occasional glimpses of the Andaman Islands if the routing passes near them (though most direct paths stay north of them), and the transition from the cooler waters north of the equator to tropical waters as you approach Sri Lanka. The Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar may be visible on the left during the early-to-mid portion of the flight if the routing passes near it, appearing as a complex network of waterways and low-lying delta terrain. Most of the flight is over open water with no major landmarks visible.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SHA
RIGHTHongqiao typically departs to the east or northeast. Right-side seats capture the Huangpu River winding through central Shanghai and the Pudong skyline receding eastward during climb-out. Left side faces the industrial western suburbs.
Landing at CMB
LEFTApproaching Colombo from the northeast (typical arrival routing), left-side seats face the Indian Ocean and the dramatic western coastline. You'll see the approach over open water with the city and Negombo Lagoon appearing on the left during descent. Right side faces inland terrain.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Bandaranaike International (CMB)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Colombo. Left side dominates both segments: the Pudong skyline during departure and the Indian Ocean plus Colombo coastline during arrival. The westbound routing means left seats face the direction of travel for much of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Hongqiao International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Hongqiao typically departs to the east or northeast. Right-side seats capture the Huangpu River winding through central Shanghai and the Pudong skyline receding eastward during climb-out. Left side faces the industrial western suburbs. Notable sights include: Huangpu River (distinctive serpentine curve through the city), Pudong financial district (Oriental Pearl Tower visible as a needle-like structure), Suzhou Creek confluence, Yangtze River estuary to the north.
What can I see when landing at Bandaranaike International in Colombo?
When landing at Bandaranaike International (CMB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Approaching Colombo from the northeast (typical arrival routing), left-side seats face the Indian Ocean and the dramatic western coastline. You'll see the approach over open water with the city and Negombo Lagoon appearing on the left during descent. Right side faces inland terrain. Notable sights include: Indian Ocean (open water approach), Negombo Lagoon (shallow lagoon north of Colombo with distinctive pale water), Colombo harbor and port facilities, Western coastal plains.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Colombo?
The flight from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Bandaranaike International (CMB) takes about 5 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 3,144 miles (5,060 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Shanghai to Colombo flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Bay of Bengal. Notable features include the Andaman Sea (visible as open ocean for roughly 3 hours of the flight), occasional glimpses of the Andaman Islands if the routing passes near them (though most direct paths stay north of them), and the transition from the cooler waters north of the equator to tropical waters as you approach Sri Lanka. The Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar may be visible on the left during the early-to-mid portion of the flight if the routing passes near it, appearing as a complex network of waterways and low-lying delta terrain. Most of the flight is over open water with no major landmarks visible.